The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1887-07-19
REPLY TO "A PLANTER F."
The Present Ministry Endorsed.
KEA11A. July 18th. 1887

KEALIA, July 18th. 1887.
EDITOR GAzETTE:-Your issue of the 18th
inst, contained an article, signed "a Plan
tel," In which the writer expressed the hope
that the present Ministry would be "only a
temporary arrangement Had the article
been signed with the writer's name, instead
Of q nom de plume, intended to throw respon-
~ibility of the sentiments expressed upon the
class TO which have the honor of belonging
believing that, III the language of the new
Constitution, all men may freely speak,
write, and publish their sentiments on all
subjects But wish 10 place myself on re-
cord AS being "a Planter" and yet wholly
repudiatiug the sentiments expressed in the
artIcle referred to.
wish to sav, further, that l fully and un-
eqHivocallY endorse the present Ministry,
- all and singular; as being one of the best if
not the very best that could have been Sc
lected aud | believe that great IN jority of
t le real planters of these islands are of the
same mind.
Your correspondent thinks the state of Mr..
GREEN'S health will make it impossible for
hin to "grasp public affairs" | think L
NAV assure him that Mr.. Green in not tceak
IN The Knees nor yet ir the back bone, and
that his head is level-in all things quite
capable of guarding ur empty treasury
As to Mr.. rhurston's being g too rabd and
antagonistic to the King can only won
U6E WHO your correspondent may D6Y budb ne
wants to undo all the good of the late blood
less revolution" by putting in a Cabinet that
would spike the guns and dIsband the Rifles
for fear of antagonizing the King Has
any man IN this country done more, within
the last three years. to bring abont the change
We all 50 heartily approve than Mr., Thurstonr
Has any man shown more honesty of pur-
pose, devotion to the land of his birth, or re-
gard for the ri hts of tne people Can we
not, then, forgive him for his natural antago-
ni~n to Kings, when that antagonism was
called into Icing in the defense of our rights?
If | considered the position the gentleman
now holds an enYiable one, should say he is
entitled to the reward. But as | think his
acceptance of the office was based upon a de-
sire to still further serve the people, | honor
him for 1t.
| am not acquainted with Mr.. Ashford,
but l I'M willing to trust him so long as he
continues to show the spirit and good sense
that have characterized his actions since the
Both ultimo.
Mir. Godfrey Brown needs no commenda-
ton from me.
Now, SIR, ] wish to express plainly and
torcibly my dlsapproval of any one who at
tempts at this stage of the game tV embarrass
the men who have undertaken the task of
cleaning our Augean stables. 1t seems to
me, to draw ii mildly, a very cowardly thing
to attack man under cover of pseudonym
even to the extent of ''damning him with
faint praise" If your correspondent wants
to be Minister himself, let him show his
hand. | am sure tnat MIR. Isenberg does not
thank him for his inferentIal electioneering
Ill MS be ialt
No Que doubts that Mr.. Isenberp is a man
of ability, and able to look out for his own
interests. His judgment regarding the time
for putting this country under new Consti-
tuition differed from the majority; and the
majurits we're right.
cannot tind words to express the fullness
of my approval OF the present Ministry, and
the " ork they have accomplished. The new
Constitution Is to this country what the
agna Cuarla OF King John was to England.
1t guarantees to the people 8 life, liberty,
and tue right of acquiring, possessing, and
prot, cting property, and of procuring and
obtaining safety and happiness, SO long as
the people shall by their action prove worthy |
uf those rights. But IN no place do | find |
that 1t prohibits antagonism to the King"
hen the KING oy usurption or the improper
use OF his privileges antagonlZes the rights |
OF the people. For nearly twenty years | |
have made my home III these islands without |
exercising The elective franchise, or taking |
part IN the politics OF the country, because | |
regarded the old Constitution as parody !
upon the name, and the administration OF |
government under 1t burlesque only fitted |
flr the stage Under the new Constitution, |
snail consider II not only duty, but an
honor, TO exercise the rights therein guaTan-
teed, and To have my name enrolled upon the |
list of voters Ia my district at the earliest |
opportunity.
One word more and l am done. visit to /
express, as fully and publicly as possible, |
my appreciation OF and thanks to the men of |
Honolulu, who bs their Use, patriotic and |
firm, but moderate action, brought about
ana rendered possible the change we have /
seen. IL Is unnecessary TO repeat the Ian
gua-e of Patrick Henry, iu describing the
mtnner IN which our petitions and remou-
strdnces have heretofore been received and
1t is not hard to say row the King, backed |
by e and my colleagues" would have con-
unued to regard any demands Tor change.
unless supported by the persuasive aygamenfy
Of the League Under these circumstance, |
cannot see how any Intelligent man, espec-
aliy - planter. can seek to throw obstacles /
in the way of The men who have done, and /
are doing SO much tor our benefit aud,
while l am not authorized to speak for the |
Planters OF these islands, think l know
them we'll enough to say that they will sup
port the present Ministry to a man. so long
as that Ministry continues to act according |
to the lines oil the Constitution, and the pol |
ICY declared upon their assuming the reins
of Government.
am Yours Very Truly,
u. 5. SPABDING.